Islamic State: Obama Does Not Rule Out Deployment of Ground Troops

Three years to defeat Islamic State: That is the deadline Barack Obama submitted in a proposal to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, which will authorize him to use military force against the rampant Islamist threat in the Middle East.

Known by the acronym AUMF — authorization for use of military force — this White House initiative has been anticipated since last fall and is intended to fill a legal vacuum concerning American democracy, which is faithful to the principle of “checks and balances,” and to rectify a growing political embarrassment for Obama: Despite engaging in an open war against the jihadi movement since Aug. 8, 2014, the date of the first airstrikes in Iraq, the executive hasn’t previously sought authorization for his actions from the legislature, as he must in times of war.

Barack Obama was relying on two laws from 2001 and 2002, which authorized the Bush administration to track down al-Qaida, the sponsor of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, and the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. “The current AUMF is outdated and … ill-suited to the nature of the threats we face now,” explains Adam Schiff, a Democratic representative and member of the intelligence committee. “We have to replace these laws with a customized text that allows us to fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, but not against Islamist militias from Libya or Boko Haram in Nigeria. For that, the president should have to return to Congress.”*

In addition to its limited duration, AUMF supports the deployment of special forces and advisers for defensive purposes, but excludes “enduring offensive ground combat operations,” in the words of White House chief Denis McDonough, in accordance with the wishes of elected Democrats stung by 13 years of the “war on terror.” It would also force Obama’s successor to return to Congress in 2018 to seek a possible extension of the law.

AUMF, tailored to intervene against the Islamic State, still has not gained unanimity among federal congressmen. Republican Senator John McCain wants a “carte blanche” for the American executive, refusing to accept a restrictive AUMF that would tie the president’s hands at the point of deploying “boys” on the ground. His colleague Lindsey Graham wants authorization to use force against the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, whom he holds responsible for the Islamic State group’s emergence in Syria.

In a conciliatory gesture, as if to indicate his willingness to react quickly, Barack Obama clarified on Wednesday that he is not excluding the deployment of ground troops in support of airstrikes against Islamic State group if the Pentagon recommends it.

Divided over the scope of these extended “war powers,” the majority-Republican Congress is preparing for a vigorous debate when it goes back in session on Feb. 23, after its brief winter recess. A vote on the measure could occur as early as March, provided that a bipartisan compromise can be reached. Time is of the essence: The American intelligence service estimates that 20,000 foreign volunteers have joined the ranks of the Islamic State group in Syria.

*Editor’s Note: Though accurately translated, this quote could not be sourced.